Pages

Thursday, January 30, 2014

There's always something good coming out of the South and I must admit, I am missing a lot. I don't frequent this side of Manila because of its distance from Quezon City. Although yeah, the prominent villages there seems very attractive. Hectares upon hectares of land are now being developed and built with gorgeous houses like these. Do you like what you're seeing? Well, they call this GIORGIO. It's classy, breeze and very upscale. If you're looking for a new home, isn't this a valid candidate? :)

Guess who appeared when we visited the blessing of this gorgeous house in the South. No wonder, when a man makes houses... he personally takes cares of matters. That's Former Senate President Manny Villar. He even personally said hi and we did chat a bit. I felt right at home. Speaking of homes...

This is just a glimpse of what your home could look like when you live in a GIORGIO model house in Portofino. Just look at the design and see the suggested interior floor plan, you feel that each space is carefully thought about.

(photo courtesy of Portofino website and not mine)

The ground floor hosts a Living Area, your own Dining Area, a Kitchen Area, a small lanai, a functional Laundry or UtilityArea, Maids quarters with their own Toilet and Bath, a common Toilet and Bath or something that can serve like a Powder Room, a Guest Room plus a spacious 2 Car Garage. The second level has got the Master's Bedroom, dedicated Toilet and Bath (with their own bath tub and walk in closet), 2 Bedrooms, with a common Toilet and Bath plus a Big Balcony which I already am planning to have small caviar servings and glasses of champagne. :)

This is pretty good to have for a small family. Or perhaps if you're starting out to invest in properties, all you need to do is ask the right people. For Inquiries, you may call (+63) 917 861 3894, or their landline (+63) 922 859 7742. You can also call them US Direct by dialing (001) 818 945 8050. Capisce?

We sat down with a couple of people from Skyscanner a few days ago. It was light and we had a few laughs. Well, we had a lot actually. This was like a very casual way of introducing to us Skyscanner. Have you heard of it?

If not, then let me explain how it works in lay mans terms. We travel locally and internationally now. Whenever you go to book a flight, we check each and every airline website in the Philippines and scrummage for the cheapest and most convenient flight. Now that's a little arduous right?

When you go to http://www.skyscanner.com.ph/, you just put in your flight origin, destination and the date you prefer... then it will get you results of ALL the airlines on its directory and give you results arranged to your preferred filters. I went and searched one for Dublin as I plan to go there late this year. Prices ranged from 53K to 200K. It also indicated the actual airline where the ticket is booked plus the airport stopovers I'd have to take if I bought it. It's like google for trips. Isn't that a life and time saver? Sometimes, it makes no sense why we have to go through all that when we can just do it in one website. Now, its easier, better and more convenient. Skyscanner's Ms. Janet Ranola showed us how the website and system works. Best of all, Skyscanner's free and we don't have to pay them extra premium for their services. Isn't that neat? You can also check what's the best time to purchase tickets because it analyzes data from previous years. Their operations are based in Europe and they've devised a system that's both secure and fool proof so you don't have to worry about anything since booking will be done via the airline's individual websites. Isn't that neat? Now you don't have to scan and write down things because it's all in one website. You can even book hotels and cars if the need arises. Now tell me, how cool is that?! :D

Skyscanner also announced the Philippine finalists for the Skyscanner Bloscars Travel Awards. They will be judging who comes as the best in the Philippines and battle it out with other bloggers from Asia Pacific. The winner will get to win thousands worth of travel credits with Skyscanner. They will also give away gadgets which includes a DSLR camera I heard. Now that's big. Let's see who will win that coveted prize!

For what its worth, Skyscanner rocks! Who wouldn't like saving thousands of pesos right? :)

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

This guy right here is Mr. Kikuo Ibe, the Father of Casio's G-SHOCK. One day, he dropped an heirloom watch given to him by his father. He watched it break into pieces, and broke his heart in the process. He envisioned one day that he'll create a timepiece that won't break when dropped. That was how the great G-SHOCK story started.

Since he's the head of Casio's watch design team, it was really hard finding a material that could substantially prevent the watch from breaking. He saw a girl playing with a ball and was inspired by it. He thought of suspending the actual timepiece with air or "space" hence the design of having a hollow structure holding the module whilst it's suspended inside.

In 1983 they came out with the first G-SHOCK model called DW5000C. The watch followed a triple 10 principle which means it's got a battery life of 10 years, 10 bar pressure resistance and can withstand a 10 meter drop too. A lot of others followed suit and made G-SHOCK a byword for timepieces.

2013 marks G-SHOCK's 30th Anniversary. They have been holding events around the world and yes they call this "SHOCK THE WORLD" among other things. Mr. Ibe will be appearing in Manila to get Pinoys a glimpse of the celebration this February 28. I'll also try to be at the press conference prior to that at HYVE bar in W Global Center, Bonifacio Global City. For those interested to see this guy who made history in the flesh, please check out http://shocktheworldmanila.com/ for more details.

Admitting I am not flawless probably won't surprise you. Yes, just like some people you know I do have my scars. Scars are marks, they can disappear... and some stay quite permanently. We didn't have science help that much years ago and everything was mumbo jumbo. We had one solution later on but surgery costs thousands of dollars. Then we met Contractubex, I didn't know some scars could have been healed faster and completely disappear by using this.

Meet Ms. Cheska Garcia - Kramer and her daughter Claire Kendra Kramer. They are both gorgeous and Mom Cheska always made it a point to take care of her kids skin. With the kids active life, she can't always look after them when they are out at play or when she's at work. They told us a story when Kendra scratched her knee during play and got it healed first. After that, they applied Contractubex on the area and it's almost invisible now. So did Cheska when she got scars from having Cesarian operations giving birth to her cute kids. The little man was there too, he was too cute I tell you!

Cheska says they've been using the brand even before they got the endorsement. It was quite nice to see that fate probably has something to do with this event. Their family is so tight, they always wanted the best for their kids and taking care of them with the best way possible is how they want it to be. A little research shows that Contractubex is effective for abrasions, cuts, lacerations, operations, burns/scalds, laser treatments and even those affected by tattoo removal. It is mostly recommended for scars that are mostly on top of the dermis and not concave looking ones according to the rep from Contractubex.

Now, it's time to move on with your life and LIVE IT! The scars can only tell a story, now there's a solution to even rid of it and make your skin back to flawless state. Who wouldn't want that right? Your loved ones deserve to have the best. Living it without haste, without being too shy about your skin is something everyone want and need. It's easy getting this tube and putting it on your scar, but the happiness that you'll get is insurmountable. If you have scars now, you know what to do.

Grab a tube, it's worth it. I'm already applying it to two scars and I'm seeing and feeling its effects. You don't have to suffer, check the channels below and see how it will make your life different. Definitely better!

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Looks like CRUMPLER is making your day even better as they EXTEND this mad END OF SEASON SALE until February 15th, 2014! This is essential for photographers like me who want to keep their cameras safe from bumps and bruises. It's been years since I bought mine and its probably asking for an additional bag for my other things.

What's pretty cool is that they've got some items at 80% off and it will only be available until the date I mentioned earlier. If I were you I'd rush to their stores and get great deals for the bags you'll love since it'll last a long time! :)

Who are we to stop creativity? Are we making sure that the artistically forward are recognized in this country? Are we even giving them a voice when its due them? Well it's time we do. That's exactly why CONVERSE encourages us to Get Loud! The need to get noticed, without putting off listeners and get that coveted career on a roll. Converse is here to get these Indie bands some needed push and that's going to happen now.

This is Paranoid City. Their strength lies in using synthesizers for most of their masterpieces. With songs like "Hello Strange", "We Are/HereWe Go" they will let you feel that there's space for Pop Funk and Electro Dance. You'll figure out why their music, coupled with an Ivy League fashion template can bring them to the front of their genres and make a mark in this industry. It's something they wish for, it's something they want to happen soon. Armed with Jack Purcell pieces on their wardrobe, they won't have problems getting noticed.

This one's Stereodeal. Having quirky, intelligent and poetic music isn't just something the band is known for. They are bringing to the table their brand of Alternative Music. A very creative thought process comes into every song they make and influences in everyday situations, even love make up most of their originals. That real vibe and melancholic songs such as "Hypertime" and fast ones like "Relentless" makes them a force to be reckoned with. Together with their tasteful choices in music and a look mostly based on the CONS line, they will surely get to impress even the most discriminating audiences wherever, whenever that may be.

With a promising career in sight, awesome clothes, shoes and love for what is innately theirs... Their brand of music and Converse's support, nothing is impossible... They will Get Loud!

We've been shooting a lot of things and I know what I need for my camera gear. With long exposures or just plain selfies, a photographer just needs a sturdy, light weight and non complicated tripod. I've seen a ton of these and I guess I've chosen the right ones for me. Though I have always wanted to own one of these Manfrotto's. They've always been the go to brand of the masters and I've seen a lot of them last for years. Say hello to the Manfrotto 190 Series and the Befree Compact Lightweight Tripods.

Vitec Group CEO Marco Pezzana and executives from Italy went all the way to the Philippines to witness and experience this launch. Manfrotto is one of the brands that is made by this conglomerate and some other well identified branded accessories as well. They always want the consumer to experience how it is to have quality, performance and reliability of the equipment they use. Then when we thought the event was over, we suddenly heard screeching sounds at the back and that sharp motor revolutions coming from this!

VROOM VROOM VROOM they proceeded on front with the smell of burnt rubber and carbon monoxide. No people were harmed on this photo LOL!

Gorgeous ladies clad in their little red dress came and got the packages from these motor monstrosities. Lo and behold the Tripods we were waiting for arrived in style. Those bikes were HOT!

Each awesome Tripod comes with a foreign model (joke!) buy really, if these gals can carry it around without complaining, it's probably too light that these gorgeous ladies can carry this with ease... makes sense right?

Just like Manfrotto, they are dedicated to you and to everything that involves your passion and the way you express them through images. Even a Cebu based expert landscape photographer endorsed it.

When we thought that the evening was not grand enough, they came out with two Maserati's. Yes, you are seeing them in the flesh.

Then they demo'd the Manfrotto 190 Series and BeFree Tripods. It was light, and the photographer can manipulate it with minimal effort. The tripod even can handle a 360 degree view with it's ball head. A feat not seen in other brands.

Incredibly easy to use and very sturdy, simple tasks for an accessory that photographers look for in a tripod. Both are expertly designed so you get your money's worth. These tripods, though a bit pricey can last you for years... maybe even decades as I've seen in other Manfrotto's. SRP stands at PHP 11,590 for the Manfrotto Befree whilst Manfrotto 190 is at PHP 24,290. This might get even lower prices in some stores who apply discounts.

Columbia Digital by the way is the exclusive distributor of Nikon, Manfrotto, Kata Bags, National Geographic Bags, Gitzo and KIS Photo-Me in the Philippines. Please check their channels below for more information about the tripods and other accessories.